Flashlight structure



P 1962 H. SHWISHA 3,054,088

FLASHLIGHT STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 27, 1960 INVENTOR.

Haim Shwisha AT TORNEY United States Patent Ofifice Patented Sept. 11, 1962 This invention relates to a flashlight structure, and more specifically to a flashlight structure for producing an intermittent flashing light.

An object of this invention is to provide a relatively simplified flashlight construction which is readily adapted for use as a warning light which generates an intermittent or flashing light.

Another object is to provide a warning light that is relatively inexpensive, easy to manufacture and positive in operation.

A feature of this invention resides in the relative ease by which the parts may be readily assembled and disassembled.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the flashlight construction in accordance with this invention, having portions thereof shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a top plan View of the flashlight with the dome housing removed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to that of FIG. 2 with the hold-down plate removed.

FIG. 4 is a detail bottom view of the hold-down plate.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the flashlight.

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the bulb retaining means.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a portable, battery operated flashlight 19 that is readily adapted for use as a warning signal light. As shown, the flashlight 10 comprises a base member 11 formed of non-conducting material that has an inwardly and upwardly tapering peripheral wall portion 12, to define a frusto-conical base. Extending transversely adjacent the top of the base member 12 is a Web portion 13. In accordance with this invention the Web 13 is provided with a means forming a recess 13A for housing the batteries 14, 15 required for operation.

The housing or recess 13A is sized to snugly receive two standard flashlight batteries 14 and 15. As shown, the recess 13A is formed by depending front and rear walls 16 and 17 connected to the transversely extending web 13. The bottom wall 13 is formed by an arcuate shaped member which is extended between the front and rear Wall to complete the battery housing recess 13A.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the battery electrical connections comprise a pair of contacts 19 and 20 connected adjacent the front wall and a contact 21 connected to the rear wall. The front wall battery contacts 19 and 20 are each formed as an electric conducting, resilient spring or clip which has a depending finger-like portion 19A, 20A, respectively, extending downwardly into the recess to engage the battery electrodes and a connected horizontally disposed tab portion 19B, 203. As shown, each clip 19, 20 is connected by its respective tab portion to the Web by a fastener, formed of a suitable electrically conductive material, to form a terminal or point of electrical contact 22, 23.

Secured to the rear wall is the horizontally disposed battery contact 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the opposed ends 21A of the contact 21 are bent outwardly of the wall 17 so as to provide the contact 21 with resiliency necessary to snugly receive the flashlight batteries 14, 15. Referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the poles or electrodes 24' and 25 are oppositely disposed so that contacts 1?, 21B and 21 are rendered operative to electrically connect the batteries 14, 15 in series.

Connected to the top of the base 11 is a plate 26 of non-conducting material which functions as a hold-down for the batteries 14 and 15. In accordance with this invention plate 26 is in the form of a disc having a reflexive surface 26B which is adapted to seat on a raised shoulder portion 27 formed on the web 13. In the illustrated form the disc 26 is formed of vacuum metalized plastic.

Means are provided for releasably securing the holddown plate 26 to the top of the base. This means includes a pair of oppositely disposed keyhole slots 28, 29 which are adapted to receive the heads of oppositely disposed pins 319 which extend above the top of the base. With the pins 30 in register with the slots 28, 29 the arrangement is .such that a slight rotation of the plate 26 relative to the base 11, will cause the narrow portion of the slot into register with the shank of the pins 30, thus locking the hold-down plate 26 to the base 11. Vertical pegs 31 connected to the top of the plate 26 are provided to facilitate rotating the plate 26 relative to the base.

Located centrally of the plate 26 is an aperture 26A for receiving the threaded shank 32 of a light bulb or lamp 33. As the flashlight of this invention is intended to be used as a Warning light, it is desirable that the bulb 33 be of the type that is provided with a filament arrangement which generates an intermittent flashing of light.

In accordance with this invention there is secured to the underside of the hold-down plate 2d the electrical contacts for connecting the bulb into the flashlight circuit. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the bulb or lamp contact includes a first element 34 which has an opening 34A in one end thereof which is in alignment with the aperture 26A of the hold-down plate 26. The member 34 comprises a flat piece of electrically conductive material, such as copper. The opening 34A in one end of the contact member is formed with opposed bent out portions arranged so that the shank 32 of the bulb 33 may be r readily threaded thereto so as to be maintained secured therein. The other end of the bulb contact is provided with a laterally extending finger portion 34B which is adapted to make electrical contact with the terminal 22 connecting one of the battery clips 19 to the base.

A second bulb contact 35 is arranged to electrically connect the bulb 33 to an independent terminal 36 which is physically disposed between the terminals 22, 23 of the battery clips 19 and 20, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the second bulb contact 35 overlies the first bulb contact 34, but is electrically insulated therefrom by a suitable insulating material 37. One end 35A of the contact 35 is bent so that it may make positive contact with the bottom of the bulb. The other end 35B of contact 35 is bent to form positive engagement with terminal 36.

Means to make and break the electrical circuit includes a switch in the form of a lever 38 made of electrically conductive material that is pivotally connected on the bottom of web 13 in electrical contact with terminal 23 of clip 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the switch lever 38 is arranged to swing into and out of engagement with terminal 36. Thus, with the arrangement described it will be noted that the circuit is made complete when the lever 38 makes contact with terminal 36. When this contact is made the bulb is energized. When the lever 38 is pivoted out of contact, or is otherwise disengaged from ape nose 3 terminal 36, the circuit is broken, and the bulb will not light or blink.

To complete the assembly, a glass-like dome 39 is fitted to the base to cover and protect the bulb. In the illustrated embodiment the base 11 is provided with an annular groove 41 for frictionally receiving the bottom edge of the dome. As shown the groove 40 circumscribes the outer periphery of the hold-down plate 26. If desired a set screw, not shown, may look the dome in place. The dome may be provided with a plurality of protuberances 41 whichvare adapted to seal in recess 42 formed in the wall of groove 40 for securing the dome within the groove. The arrangement described is relatively simple in construction, requiring a minimum of labor and material. In addition, the flashlight described is relatively small and light in Weight, thus rendering it readily portable and easy to use and operate. Thus it is readily adapted to be used as a signal or warning light in many emergency situations.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes there is illustrated and described herein the best form and mode of operation of the invention now known to the inventor, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention covered by the claims, and that certain features of the invention may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

What is claimed is:

1. A warning light comprising a base member having a recessed portion for housing a pair of dry cell batteries, said recessed portion having a vertically depending front and rear wall portion, means including a pair of spaced vertically depending resilient contacts connected adjacent the front wall, a terminal disposed between said resilient contacts, and a horizontally disposed spring leaf contact connected to said rear wall portion, said contacts being arranged to electrically connect said batteries in series, a hold-down plate having a centrally located aperture, a flashing light bulb having a threaded shank adapted to be received in said aperture, said plate having a pair of oppositely disposed keyhole slots adjacent the periphery thereof, pin connected to the top of said base, said pin means being arranged to be received in said slots whereby rotation of said plate relative to said base secures said plate to said base, means for releasably securing said light bulb in said aperture, said latter means including a lamp contact, said lamp contact having an opening in one end thereof in alignment with said aperture into which the shank of said bulb is threaded and a lateral extension connected to the other end thereof to electrically engage with one of said depending resilient contacts, a second lamp contact superposed on said first mentioned lamp contact, means insulating said second lamp contact from said first mentioned lamp contact, said second lamp con tact being arranged to electrically connect the end of the lamp shank to said terminal and a switch means, said switch including a lever being electrically and pivotally connected to the other depending leaf contact, said lever being pivotable into engagement and disengagement with said terminal for either making or breaking the circuit.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said base member has an annular groove on the top thereo said groove circumscribing said hold-down plate, and glass-like dome adapted to be frictionally received in; said groove to protect said bulb.

3. A warning light comprising a frusto-conical base member having a Web extending thereacross adjacent the upper end, said web having means defining a recessed portion for housing a pair of dry cell batteries, said recessed portion having vertically depending front and rear Walls, a pair of spaced vertically depending resilient clip contacts connected adjacent the front wall of said recess and a horizontally disposed spring clip contact connected to said rear wall, said contacts being arranged to electrically connect said batteries in series, a terminal disposed between said depending clip contacts, a hold-down plate having a centrally located aperture, means for releasably securing said plate to the top of said base member whereby rotation of said plate relative to said base secures the same together, a light bulb having a threaded shank adapted to be received in said aperture, means for releasably securing said light bulb in said aperture, said latter means including a lamp contact having an opening in one end thereof arranged in alignment with said aperture, said opening being formed to receive said threaded shank by screwing, said lamp contact having a lateral extension adapted to electrically engage one of said battery depending contacts, a second lamp contact superposed on said first mentioned lamp contact, means insulating said first lamp contact from said second lamp contact, said second lamp contact being arranged to electrically connect said bulb at one end to said terminal and a switch means including a lever electrically connected to the other depending battery leaf contact and pivoted to swing into engagement and disengagement with said terminal to make and break said circuit.

Johnson Nov. 15, 1960 

